Even the celebrity sign-in people didn't know who I was,

I can understand that kind of reaction, ... But I think people underestimated or were under uninformed about John Wells' background. Not only has he produced some great blockbuster shows, but he is a great writer.

The impression I get is it is considered a controversial topic, and people don't feel comfortable coming out for Israel. The rally was completely apolitical. It was Israel has the right to exist. (For that) to be a controversial issue for Hollywood Jews, American Jews, to me is a disgrace. And it became a little bit of an obsession for me.

I grew up and I was weaned on the Marx Brothers. They were sort of my all-time favorite. My parents showed me their movies when I was very young. And as I got older, I became a Charlie Chaplin fan, and I love Buster Keaton.

'Backwash' is an old-school, slapstick-y romp between three eccentric loser friends who inadvertently rob a bank, armed solely with a salami and a sweat sock, and then find themselves on the run pursued by singing cops. It's kind of a classic piece, a sophisticated piece, if you will.

If you are an Aaron Sorkin fan, and I am, I understand always lamenting his departure. But I also think it is a tribute to Aaron that he created a situation and these great characters that are so solid that with good writers taking them over they still are viable and compelling.